Make Google your default search engine

How to switch to the desktop

Your shiny new Windows 8 operating system has tiles and apps on a Start Screen, and
it has the original desktop that looks like the Windows you're used to.

To make Google your default search engine, you just need to switch from apps to the
desktop.

Here two options to help you switch to the desktop:

The quick way: If you see a black bar at the bottom of the screen saying “The
site www.google.com uses add-ons that require Internet Explorer on the desktop”,
click the blue Open button to switch to desktop mode.

You can also get to the desktop manually. First, make the URL bar show by
hovering at the bottom of the page, or by swiping from the bottom on a touch
screen. Then click on the white wrench icon and select “View on Desktop.”

Now the button to make Google your search provider should work. Aww yeah.

Step 3: Select Google as your search engine

Step 1: Open Settings

Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select
Settings.
A new tab will open.

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box.
Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.

Step 1: Open Settings

Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select
Settings.
A new tab will open.

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box.
Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.

Change your search provider to Google

Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop down menu.

Bonus: change your homepage to Google

Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon
located in the upper right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.

...Or, change your homepage manually

Click on Firefox in the top left corner, then select Options, and
then click on Options in the right menu.
Click on the General button in the top menu with the picture of a
switch.
Next to When Firefox starts, open the drop down menu and select Show my
home page.
Type www.google.com in the Home Page box, and click OK to
save.

Step 1: Open Preferences

Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google

Next to Default search engine, click on the drop down menu and select
Google.

Step 3: Change your homepage to Google

Next to New windows open with, open the drop down menu and select
Homepage. Open the next drop down menu and select Homepage to see
your homepage in new tabs.
Then type www.google.com into the box next to Homepage.
Your changes are saved.

Step 1: Open Preferences

Click on Opera from the top menu and select Settings, and then
Preferences.

Step 2: Edit Search settings

Click the Search button at the top of the Preferences window.
Select Google from the list, and then click the Edit button on the
right.

Step 3: Change your default search engine to Google

Click the Details » button, and then check both boxes next to Use as
default search engine and Use as Speed Dial search engine.
Click the OK button, and then click the next OK button in the
Preferences window to save your changes.

Edit preferences or settings to make Google your search provider

Oops! We can’t figure out which internet browser instructions to show you. Try
clicking on the name of your browser in the top menu and then selecting
Preferences, Settings, or Options. Perhaps you have Tools
in the top menu, and then select Internet Options.